Journey to the West: I really want to improve!

"Thank you, sir!" Ding Huan said, kneeling on the ground.

"Alright, get up. You've been with me for so long, I'm sure I'll see you get bitten to death by that vicious dog. Go inside." Mu Xin turned and went back inside.

Once inside, Mu Xin took out a pill and casually tossed it to Ding Huan before getting down to business:

"As you can see, Longgong Construction has already put pressure on Guanjiangkou Group. They couldn't sit still after just receiving His Majesty's approval."

"Go and prepare the things according to the list I gave you right now. We're going to pay our respects to the True Lord of the Mysterious Altar tomorrow. We can't delay any longer." Mu Xin handed a slip of paper to Ding Huan.

"My lord... I'm afraid that True Lord wouldn't be interested in these things," Ding Huan said, glancing at the note.

"The Heavenly Venerable Xiao Sheng who attracts treasures, the Heavenly Venerable Cao Bao who receives precious gifts, the Wealth-Attracting Messenger Chen Jiugong, and the Profit-Making Immortal Yao Shaosi are all handling official business with the True Lord of the Mysterious Altar."

"Is it appropriate for us to go without bringing anything?"

"Little Ding, do you know why you're still a strongman?"

"Besides lacking connections, you're too inflexible!"

"We're just bringing some local specialties. It's normal for friends to visit each other. Go on." Mu Xin waved his hand, signaling Ding Huan to hurry up and get things done. He was too lazy to say anything more.

Ding Huan glanced at the note again and muttered to himself:

"They always claim it's a local specialty, but when you ask, you can't find it in the market... What's going on here..."

……

The next day, Mu Xin, along with Ding Huan, paid a visit to Zhao Gongming, the True Lord of the Mysterious Altar, bringing with him local specialties.

Meeting the True Lord of the Mysterious Altar, Zhao Gongming, is no easy task, even with a project specially approved by the Jade Emperor. This is why Mu Xin went to see his master in advance.

Mu Xin took out the approval document stamped with the Jade Emperor's seal, then deliberately bent over and made an ugly face, raising his hands above his head.

"My Lord, this is the decree His Majesty specially approved at the morning meeting in the Lingxiao Palace regarding the reconstruction of the South Heavenly Gate. Please take a look."

"I'm a bit lost when it comes to this big project, so I'll have to ask for your help. I'm also worried about delaying the project."

As Mu Xin spoke, he handed over the approval document, along with a bulging brocade pouch.

This kind of thing doesn't need to be said; everyone understands. As for the speed of the approval process, the True Lord can tell the time simply by touching the size of the brocade pouch.

Just as Zhao Gongming obtained the approval document, Mu Xin could no longer sense the presence of the brocade pouch. He breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that the matter was half accomplished.

"I am aware of this matter. Projects personally overseen by His Majesty will naturally not be delayed."

"Don't worry, Xiao Mu, this kind of thing will definitely be handled as a special case. You should go back now."

Ding Huan, standing to the side of Mu Xin, seemed about to open his mouth, whether to flatter or fawn.

Mu Xin swiftly stepped on Ding Huan's foot, giving him a look that signaled him to shut up.

"Then I'm relieved. My master said he'd like you to come over for tea after you've finished your busy schedule."

"Don't forget about this, or my master will scold me again."

Zhao Gongming didn't speak, but simply nodded and waved. Upon seeing this, Mu Xin immediately pulled Ding Huan aside and bowed as they retreated.

On the way back, Mu Xin gave the other local specialties to the other Celestial Venerables.

Although Mu Xin's status was far below that of these Celestial Venerables, their relationship had grown quite close due to their long-term interactions and the fact that the small packages Mu Xin always gave were larger than those given by the other project managers.

……

"Let me tell you, Ding Huan, the reason we were able to meet the True Lord of the Mysterious Altar, Zhao Gongming, this time is because the reconstruction project of the South Heavenly Gate was specially approved by His Majesty."

"If it weren't for my master pulling strings behind the scenes, we wouldn't even be seeing each other today. If you continue to be so tactless, you might as well get lost!"

Back at the Nantianmen project site, Mu Xin pointed at Ding Huan and berated him mercilessly.

"Sir, I was wrong, I'll never do it again!"

"But... this Xuan Tan Zhenjun is too awesome, isn't he? Your master invited him but he didn't even say a word..." Ding Huan hurriedly admitted his mistake and changed the subject.

"Hmph! You don't know anything! Do I need to tell you how senior they are?!"

"Let me tell you, other people's urine is redder than your blood! Do you know that?!"

"The True Lord of the Mysterious Altar is a respected elder statesman with connections, experience, seniority, and contributions. He should refrain from discussing such matters in the future," Mu Xin said with exasperation.

"You've given away way too many spirit stones this time... The brocade pouch is almost bursting... It must be worth tens of millions of spirit stones," Ding Huan said in a low voice.

"Why……"

Mu Xin sighed deeply; he knew he couldn't mentor Ding Huan anymore.

A project worth over two billion spirit stones, and they think giving away tens of millions will get the funds approved? That's practically the same as not giving anything at all!

……

With Mu Xin's secret plan, his master's connections, and the importance and urgency of the project, Mu Xin received 12 billion spirit stones that very afternoon.

Looking at the 12 billion spirit stones, Mu Xin was so moved that he burst into tears. The True Lord of the Mysterious Altar was truly capable.

He only took one-fifth of the spirit stones! He's an absolute role model in the Three Realms! He's so damn righteous!

Mu Xin sighed deeply, and he couldn't help but ask himself when he would be able to reach the level of the True Lord of the Mysterious Altar.

Although the certificate given by the True Lord of the Mysterious Altar contained 15 billion spirit stones, only 12 billion remain now.

Don't ask. In these matters, we only look at the evidence and nothing else. Asking too many questions is impolite!

Now it's time to show Mu Xin's abilities. After all, anyone can work if they have money, but there aren't many people who can work without money.

As for how to fill the hole, that's Mu Xin's specialty.

The money should first be used to pay the remaining balance for the renovation and expansion project of Nantianmen, and only then can the Nantianmen be rebuilt.

As for who gets the money first and how much, that depends on their understanding.

I, Mu Xin, don't know who gave me the gift, but I know very well who didn't!

Next, those with connections will look for others, and those without will send gifts.

Haha! Actually, that's a lie. You still have to give gifts even if you have connections! After all, only those with connections are entitled to give gifts!

Now that the spirit stones have been approved, they must be used.

It's not that we won't pay, but rather that we will pay in a delayed or slower manner, in an orderly fashion. We will pay those who are able to pay first, and those who have better conditions first.

At the same time, payments should be made according to specific circumstances. Payments should not be made blindly, but rather accurately, scientifically, efficiently, and strategically.

Involve those with technical expertise in the process, and have those skilled in management take the lead in participating, so as to use professional expertise to help everyone, while also taking into account special circumstances and making flexible payments.

Don't call Mu Xin a complete beast. What decent person would do engineering? That's how it's done, okay?

It's just that Mu Xin has a good master, so he can live a little better life, but only a little bit. Most of the time, he's still the grandson.

In the construction industry, you have to act like a pushover, because you're not the client!

Once all the spirit stones have been paid, it will be time to start the reconstruction project of the South Heavenly Gate, since no one can do the work without spirit stones.

Now that the spirit stones are in hand, as long as the South Heavenly Gate is rebuilt, and with his master's help, becoming the project manager is a sure thing.

However, before that, one's cultivation level needs to be improved slightly, after all, one must be on equal footing with one's confidant.